26 Comments

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LMH454 Avatar

Looking forward to reading the answers on this one! I agree with the Mario Badescu drying lotion. The MB drying *cream* and the Buffering Lotion (not technically a spot treatment but I use it as one if I have a particularly bad spot) are also really great at spot treating too! I usually alternate between the three if I’m fighting a bad breakout.

Linda Avatar

I swear by Peter Thomas Roth’s sulfur clay mask. I will just leave it on for a few hours or over night, sucks out blemishes big and small in one treatment, and reduces the cystic ones’ lifespans significantly (those take a couple days). Just take off your jewelry before using it – the sulfur tarnishes metal..

Gina Avatar

Hydrocolloid band-aids, surprisingly. They only work on acne ready to pop but they will suck most of the gunk out. I’ve noticed nearly overnight a spot will flatten and it heals faster. It also helps a ton with pain from deeper cysts.

Kylie5 Avatar

At the moment I am trying a powder from Mario badescu and like it. The other products like the drying lotion or cream were all sold out. But I will try them next time I get a discount on these products. Seems that his products don’t only have good reviews but also are really good.

AB Avatar

I use a prescription topical antibiotic — clindamycin — that my dermatologist arranged, since even still I break out and nothing over the counter was working.

Claire Renee Avatar

Makeup Artists Choice 15% Salicylic Acid Peel. I dab it on with a Qtip and leave it for 4minutes. I follow up as needed but even with large cysts with no “head” it is remarkable how quickly it reduces them.

kjh Avatar

Didn’t let it develop enough before the Cosrx hydrocolloid, methinks. They do work under the right conditions. Tried 3 pink powders; like the Mizon Acence best. (Alcohol: sorry, Paula.). Like the Paula bha 9, usually takes it down, no matter what the inflammation is from, e.g. ‘Real’ pimple, just a swelling, or a cc. Paula 9 does not have the drawing power, but it does have shrinkage and pain relief.

Emese Avatar

Just any regular drugstore brand Tea tree oil. The best! My husband uses it too. It also dries up and speeds up the healing of cold sores! I even use it in my ear with a bit of olive oil if I feel there’s fluid in my ear.

Diana Avatar

Using BHA regularly. I find that constant care of you skin does more wonders than spot treatments. But with BHA you need to find the right strength for you problems; and also, how often to apply to get results (and not dry your skin in the process).

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